AN: Wow! I put out a prologue not expecting such a supportive response. It seems we are all still craving some of the FSOG series. I'm planning to try and release a chapter each week, but I am also currently wedding planning and then traveling for most of April for our wedding and honeymoon. Hopefully, I'll get a few chapters ahead and leave you all with a fascinating read but I wanted to caution about the frequency of updates. Between full time work, wedding planning, my three dogs who have a busier social life than me with their friends, I don't have as much time as I'd like to write but I plan to make Fridays my writing days and Saturdays my posting days. I am pushing the rating up to M for this story. I don't think it'll get graphic enough to require that rating, but out of an abundance of caution, I'm going to go with the higher rating rather than lower.

Possible Triggers for chapter: References to child abuse, no graphic details

Christian POV

Seven hours of speaking with Washington Department of Children and Family Services was not how I anticipated my evening going. Not even when I heard of the child. I had been so diligent on requiring birth controls of all my subs, the possibility that one of them had a child had seemed impossible and the idea of them being able to keep a child hidden for nearly five years with how much my security kept track of them really was impossible. I planned to throw my team into figuring out exactly how this happened and how it was missed for so long. I had been having Leila kept track of for years. How did no one notice a young child with her?

My mother was staying by the child's side on my behalf as I dealt with all the nitty gritty legal issues at play. Even if it wasn't her grandchild, it's what she would have done for a patient in a similar state as Rowan was however, with this being her grandchild, there was little my mother wouldn't do for her. I was dreading the upcoming conversation I would have with her and my father. They wouldn't just not ask questions about this…or Leila.

As for the child…bruises. Scars. Broken bones. Old and new fractures. Malnourished. Too thin. Evidence of sexual abuse. It horrified me. The cigarette burns…on her chest. Like I had been given those many years ago. I hadn't really wanted to be a father, it hadn't crossed my mind, but the idea that my own child was subjected to a similar upbringing that I was subjected to…it was like a nightmare coming true. It made me feel something that I'm not even sure John Flynn himself could put into words. For the first time in ages, I felt the need to cry…not that I ever would. Those tears would be buried deep inside of my cold, dead heart. It was such an unfamiliar feeling to me it was uncomfortable. I took a breath, shook my head, and put my attention back on the caseworker who sat across from the table from me.

"So, with you being a biological parent, you have rights. We will need to do a home study and background checks on you as well as any other adults in the home prior to placing her with you. After that, she's yours to take home upon discharge. We will work with local authorities to make arrests in association to the abuse. She'll have a forensic interview set up. It is really important until that interview takes place, and really until after any legal proceedings, you be careful asking about the abuse. We don't want to jeopardize justice taking place. If she talks, listen and document, but don't ask questions that could lead to any answers." The caseworker rattled off. "Do you have any questions?"

"No." I offered.

"Well, that's all I need. When are you available for a home study?" She asked.

"What all needs to be done to pass a home study? Once I know, I can let you know a timeframe." I offered.

"With you being her father, not much. Any weapons need to be secured and locked up—preferably in a safe though any lock is suitable. Medications need to have the ability to be locked. So, while they don't need to always be locked, a lock on a bathroom door that the child does not have unsupervised access to is required. We also look for overall suitability for her to come home so a bedroom with a closet and a window is required as is a fridge and running water. That's essentially it." She explained.

"Right, well, we can get that arranged as early as tomorrow." I told her, pondering if I would need to take the Red Room apart for said home study. I'd have to do some of my own research on that matter. The child would never have access to the room, but it probably wouldn't look great for a social worker to want to look behind a locked door and open up that. It may be best to take things apart at least for the home study and set it back up later.

I listened as she continued rattling out more and mor information, handing me resources, telling me it wouldn't be unwise to get Rowan into therapy as well as get ourselves into family counseling. She also suggested getting myself into therapy. I simply nodded, listening, but also growing more exhausted by the second. The day was starting to take a toll on me.

My mind wandered to Ana. I really hadn't spoken to her much since arriving to the hospital. I needed to reach out…or at least check my own phone in case she had tried to contact me. Sweet, perfect, Ana. What would she think of this? Would I even be able to maintain what I had with Ana while figuring out what to do with the child? The thought of losing Ana made my stomach twist in knots. I needed her. I craved her. I'd have to figure out something to keep her around.

"And that's all." The caseworker finally finished. "If you have any questions, here's my card. Send me some different times that you have free for the home study tomorrow and beyond that, I don't need much from you."

I offered a nod. "I should go check on…her."

"You should." She agreed. "She seems rather fond of you. I'm assuming her mother spoke highly of you. Be aware Mr. Grey, there will be tons of people wanting to talk to her. Police, detectives, someone from the district attorney's office…it'll be an overwhelming few days for all of you."

I nodded and stood up. I made my way back to the hospital room, pondering things. This little girl—Rowan Grey Williams—she was about to change everything. She was going to force so many things in my life to change. Most people that knew me well would probably expect some sort of breakdown or anger but when that began to rise, I thought of her. I thought of those bruised cheeks, that tiny thin frame, those exhausted blue eyes, the way she seemed relieved to see me despite never having met me. Something about that little girl was keeping my emotions mostly in check. Any anger I was feeling was not due to her…it was Leila and whoever in Leila's life was harming this child because despite Leila's faults, I couldn't imagine her causing this much damage to such a small little girl. Leila was unstable, perhaps, her cause of death being a big sign of that, but Leila wouldn't harm a child. Leila wouldn't harm a part of me.

Needing a moment or two to collect myself prior to seeing the child again, I lifted my cellphone. Several missed calls and messages from Ana. I wasn't ready to handle that. I decided, instead, to call Gail.

"Mr. Grey?" She answered on the first ring. She sounded upset…like she had been crying. Having been the one to find Leila, I'm assuming she was having a difficult time. Anyone would have in her shoes.

"Gail" I sighed "I know things have been difficult, I am so sorry about what happened with Miss Williams. Are you doing alright all things considered?"

"I'll be fine Mr. Grey. The child…is she…is she really...?" She trailed off.

"Yes. She is indeed mine. DNA proved that. That being said, she will be coming to be with us once she is released from the hospital." I began.

"Oh." She sniffled a bit. "Mr. Grey, that's wonderful news."

She truly seemed excited. Gail was rather fond of children form what she had said in passing a few times. Having a child to help provide for would probably be something she was more than willing to help with. It would bring some joy for her…a good pick me up all things considered.

"Yes, it's certainly a change. We will work out all the details in the coming weeks, but for now, we need to prepare for a home study. I think most things will be fine from what they were saying, but could you make sure all weapons are in the safe?" I asked.

"Of course, Mr. Grey." She agreed.

"I also need…well…we need to get the red room probably…more child friendly at least for the home study. Could you pack up any inappropriate objects? I don't want to delay the passing even though I don't think it is something that would become an issue." I asked.

"Yes, Mr. Grey. I can do that. What about a room for her? What does she like? I'd like to go ahead and prepare a space for her. What about food? Any favorites?" She asked.

"I…well…with everything else going on, I haven't had much of a chance to get to know her. We'll get that squared away once I learn more about her." I decided. "I'll talk to Taylor, and he can arrange any help you need getting things ready. I'm going to try and push for the home study to be in the afternoon tomorrow. Is that doable?"

"Yes, Mr. Grey. No problem." She agreed.

"Thank you, Gail. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, I hung up.

I had reached the door to the child's hospital room. I peeked through the window. My mother was sitting on the side of the bed, reading some book to the child, who clung to a stuffed bunny. I watched them for a moment, being taken back to the first time I met my mother. She was reading to me too, I clung to a stuffed dog. History seemed to truly be repeating itself and all I could hope for was that Rowan wouldn't end up as fucked up as I had.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, facing my fears and anxiety to face the child. My child.